by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

The former Louisville star who prides himself on his 71% completion rate last season is intent on changing his draft night identity to No. 1.

"No doubt, I feel that I'm the best quarterback in this draft,'' Bridgewater said Saturday. "I'm not going to just say that. I actually feel I can back up these words. I'm just confident in myself and my capability of doing all the things at this position and to go out there and prove that I'm the best guy."

One thing he won't be doing is throwing in front of evaluators from all 32 team during Sunday's quarterback drills inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

Why not?

"I will throw at my pro day,'' Bridgewater said, referencing his March 17 workout. "The biggest thing was just me being a perfectionist, I just want everything to go right.

"Whether I'm taking a five-step drop and the guy is not on top of his route or the times when I don't have that chemistry with the guys, I tend to look at it from a pro standpoint. You want to be with your guys to have that timing and that connection. So that was the biggest thing.''

It's hard to argue with his perfectionist trait.

After all, Bridgewater, who measured 6-2¼ and 214 pounds is the tech-savvy kid who installed former Louisville offensive coordinator Shawn Watson's plays to his Xbox as a sophomore so he could sharpen his knowledge of the playbook.

"A lot of people ask me what do I do on a video game - I call it taking virtual reps,'' Bridgewater said, cracking up media members. "Each day, I'm trying to get better, trying to out-work my opponent, trying to out-smart my opponent and just try to be the best quarterback that I can be.''

So does he create himself on Madden?

"I don't create myself because I don't want to overrate myself or underrate myself,'' he laughed.

"I'm a huge Peyton Manning fan and the things he does. Russell Wilson, just some of the greats of this league - Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, the list goes on and on.

"I try to play with every team because each team is different. Each team has a playmaker whether it's a wide receiver, a running back or a tight end.

"I'm just a competitor. I'll line up with any team and just compete.''

He was scheduled to meet Saturday night with the Houston Texans, owners of the top pick in the draft. He interviewed Friday with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who pick second, and the Oakland Raiders, who select fifth.

"I know Bill O'Brien coached Tom Brady back at the Patriots and he's a great coach,'' Bridgewater said of the new Texans coach. "I'm eager to meet him and talk to him.''

Bridgewater disputed the notion that his 9¼-inch hand size will be a detriment should he play in a cold-weather city.

"It's just about completing the football. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter about your hand size, the only thing that matters is getting the ball to your wide receivers,'' he said. "I feel that with my accuracy, my arm strength and my decision making, the hand size shouldn't be a factor. I played in cold weather at the University of Louisville.

"And if it gets too cold, I've been able to put on a glove and I've had success doing that.''

So will Bridgewater, who threw 31 touchdowns and just four interceptions for 12-1 Louisville last season fit former Penn State head coach and former New England Patriots offensive assistant coordinator O'Brien?